John F O’Neill Jr, MD

I was his patient for a time, but no longer go to Dr. J O’Neill, because of the types of incidents described in a number of the postings about him here: He did not interact with me as a careful practitioner should, because a patient’s signs and symptoms as reported should always be taken into account by a physician. He just seemed to go his own way, whatever I said, without explaining why or why not he did what he did. Yes, he has surgical skills, but a procedure he carried out on me did not have the predicted result, which he not only was unwilling to discuss, but denied, and I had to see another doctor to seek remedial treatment.
On 5÷28÷13 in this section, «Mr Pleco» asked «Would you rather have a chatty, super charming, mediocre Dr treating you, or have a quiet, intelligent, and very competent one? That’s what I thought.» Well, Mr Pleco, I’d rather have an empathic AND competent doctor treating me. Why should I have to choose between medical competence and a good listener who treats me with respect, and explains why or why not my personal concerns are medically significant? This area is full of practicing dermatologists who are BOTH «intelligent, and very competent» and are ALSO decent communicators who take patient concerns into account, and accord respect to those who come for treatment.
Why should I go to a doctor who lacks interpersonal skills and diminishes me as a person and patient, however well he «doctors», when we are fortunate enough in Montgomery County to have available good doctors with both personal and medical skills. In fact, I just put Dr J O’Neill behind me, moved on, and didn’t come here to write about him, but landed here while looking up another Dr O’Neill, in the same specialty. But must say, it’s reassuring to read about others who had the same impression of him that I did. Helps me to answer the question one often asks after such difficult and unpleasant professional encounters: Was it me, or was it him? I think I have the answer to that one.

The front office staff are pleasant, efficient, and effective which is what I’m looking for from any business. My calls have been promptly answered (a bit of a rarity these days) and the proper questions were asked regarding my appointment (e.g., insurance, type of exam needed.)
I have seen Dr. O’Neill twice in the past few weeks and found him to be courteous, professional, very well-​educated and skilled in his practice of dermatology. The first visit he did a standard skin check and was thorough, thoughtful and appropriately communicative. He wasn’t super smiley and chatty – which I generally find obsequious and off-​putting in a physician – but he addressed all my questions, took care of some minor skin concerns on the spot, and was clearly highly competent. I scheduled a minor surgery with him and I must say his surgical technique was excellent: no pain during or after the procedure, excellent incision and suturing, great results.. Again, I found him appropriately communicative during the surgery, keeping me informed of what he was doing and how it was looking. Overall, a 5-​star experience that met all my needs and expectations for a dermatologist or any physician. His nurse was super pleasant but again professional and efficient and not particularly chatty.
Perhaps he has mellowed or perhaps these mixed reviews show that people have very different expectations of their doctors? If you’re looking for a new friend or someone who is interested in discussing every tiny freckle and mole then I suspect Dr. O’Neill definitely isn’t for you. Personally, I want skilled and professional practice with a reasonable dose of kindness and concern thrown in. I found exactly that in Dr. O’Neill and would highly recommend him and the office staff to friends, family, and others looking for an excellent dermatologist.

This review is for Dr. O’Neill and the nurse Brenda only.
I waited a long time for this dermatologist appointment, and took the earliest one I could, which happened to be Dr. O’Neill. (I went to the office, by recommendation, didn’t matter which doctor, but the earliest appointment was with Dr. O’Neill).
I walked back, and all the nurses were standing around and I felt like they were staring at me.
I waited in the room for a good while, and when he finally came in, oh boy. He was kind of rude, barely spoke to me, did the mole check and never asked me anything.
This man has the worst bedside manner!
He asked if I wanted to remove 2 moles that day, and they just put me on the spot, so I said no.
The nurse was almost just as bad! I started crying because I was sitting there half-​naked from the mole check, and I felt exposed. He didn’t even care to talk to me. I was upset and crying and she didn’t care! Didn’t show any sympathy.
I walked out crying, and asked the guy at the front desk if I had to do anything else, and he said «honey, are you okay?» and I told him that they treated me horribly. He had me go back and talk to someone in the office part. She was great and tried to reconcile the situation. She had me talk to the nurse practitioner, who was really great and thorough. But the nurse that took me back was the same nurse as before, so I thought to myself, «Oh god, here we go again.» But the nurse practitioner was great and helpful. I’m glad they salvaged the appointment, well, somewhat.

Ashleigh G and I have both obviously seen the same kind of thing, whereas others of you are meeting Dr Jekyll instead! This is fascinating!

I have been a patient of Dr. O’Neil’s since I was 16 years old and dealing with some minor-​to-​moderate acne, which he treated extremely effectively. I have followed the same regimen he prescribed me for the last ten years. In the meantime, I had lived in other states and hadn’t been to his office in years, but when I called to make an appointment they were quick to fit me in. I was somewhat distressed to be breaking out all of a sudden in my mid-​twenties, but Dr. O’Neil, who has years of experience, was quick to prescribe an antibiotic that cleared it up in 30 days. What I look for in a doctor is not necessarily someone super friendly or talkative, but rather someone with expertise who I trust. Dr. O’Neil meets that criteria. Additionally, the office staff is kind and are very quick to authorize refills when I ask my pharmacy to contact them.

I saw Dr. O’Neil for about 2 years. After reading the reviews I thought hey I don’t care if he isn’t talkative, i’m not there to make friends, so no big deal right? Wrong-​O
For the people who gave him 5 star reviews… I don’t think anyone is expecting to talk to their doctor and chit chat about their kids and new gossip in their lives…
I would have no idea when my visit was over! The man would say he’d get me samples and just leave the room. I would sit there waiting for him to return with the promised samples, when at last a nurse would come in, «oh your still here?» YES! I am, I was promised samples? Oh ok let me check. It became apparent Dr. O’Neil would just leave the room and not tell the nurses the plan. This has happened to me every time I’ve seen the man. It’s one thing if you aren’t talkative, I don’t care about that, but the man is kind of rude! It is laughable that he has a profession where he interacts with people. Needless to say I was tired of this and found someone else.
Not only that, every time I came to see him with my mild case of acne, he pushed Accutane on me. Each time I would say no, I’m not comfortable with that. He would push the subject further, «Why? Well there is nothing else we can do.» Guess what? I found someone with some new ideas.

Would you rather have a chatty, super charming, mediocre Dr treating you, or have a quiet, intelligent, and very competent one? That’s what I thought.
Note: Long gone are the days of when Physicians had the time to chat with you about your son Johnny’s cute puppy and what pastel color you should choose for your bathroom walls.

For some of the previously posted reviews… do you want bedside manner or a good doctor? Seriously, he is introverted, but who cares? He is a decent man and I and my kids have been seeing him for years. I have to say that my skin looks great. Oh, did I mention that a very unassuming spot on my forehead turned out to be cancer. Yes, it was Dr. Oneill that caught it.

You know I have read all the reviews… I am somewhat shocked… although Dr. O’Neill, is not overly chatty, which he does not need to be! He takes care of everything I am there for. I have people tell me that my skin looks great! I do not have skin cancer and I trust him whole heartedly. I have had a career that has placed me out in the open environment for 26 years… I have spots of concern that pop up… i make the appointment and the staff is wonderful… I am treated professionally and courteously from the point I enter to the point I leave…

Totally agree with the two previous remarks. I visited this doctor several months ago for a mole check and questions about a particular odd looking mole. He was cold and painful to speak with. It seemed like I was bothering him. On top of that I had to bring my 18-​month old daughter along. Obviously I understand that is less than ideal and would not have brought her if I could have found a sitter. He humphed at her presence and was completely dismissive of both of us. I will NEVER return to his office.

I wish I’d seen the first reviewer before making an appointment. I had a very similar experience.
Office staff: humorless but efficient and pleasant enough. I had specifically told them, on making the appt, that I did *not* want a mole check, was coming in for other 3 other issues. They told me fine, I would be able to make a separate appointment with the female derm for that, later.
In the exam room, I told the nurse what my issues were. O’Neill came in, is clearly painfully introverted and probably uncomfortable with women. I believe he smokes, as well. He was miffed that I wasn’t gowned for a mole check, said he needed to do that in order to answer other questions. So I relented (stupid me). He had NOTHING to say about my other questions, told me to use cetaphil lotion and come back in 2 years.
He would probably be fine if you are a 50+ year old man who mostly needs skin cancer checks. He might even talk to you as if you were a person.

I randomly picked Dr. O’Neill through my insurance directory. His office is located in a popular medical park where some of my other doctors are, so I thought I’d give him a try. The office was clean and professional, however when I was called by the nurse, she barely said «hello». We went to the exam room where she took down my medical history and told me the doctor would be in shortly. A few minutes later he came in and didn’t even say hello until I did. Keep in mind this was my first visit, so I expected an introduction. He seemed really annoyed and told me to change into the robes. When he came back in he took about 2 minutes, tops, to scan my skin for any abnormalities. When he was finished, he asked me if I had anymore questions. I asked if he meant about moles, since that was what he was looking for, and he responded yes. I told him I did have questions, but not about the moles. He told me we could get by with checkups every 2 years and left the room. I assumed this meant I should get changed back into my clothes and he’d be back to talk with me more. Nope. 10 minutes later, I’m sitting in the room wondering what the heck I was supposed to do. He didn’t say bye, he didn’t come back to answer my other questions, and now I look like an idiot for sitting in here so long. As I finally decided I should leave, the nurse gave me a weird look and told me to check out up front.
I will NOT be returning to Dr. O’Neill. He was cold, unfriendly, and seemed bothered. I did not feel comfortable and had to leave my appointment with unresolved questions. Please think twice about seeing this doctor.